Style of writings

Bahá'u'lláh spoke in language of lawgiver, truth-seeker, and mystic, but unity was always the supreme purpose[edit]

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth...

"Exert yourselves that ye may attain this transcendent and most sublime station, the station that can insure the protection and security of all mankind...At one time We spoke in the language of the lawgiver; at another in that of the truth-seeker and the mystic, and yet Our supreme purpose and highest wish hath always been to disclose the glory and sublimity of this station."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 15)

The Son (Jesus) spoke in parables, while Bahá'u'lláh speaks without them[edit]

"Whatever proceeded from the tongue of the Son was revealed in parables, whilst He Who proclaimeth the Truth in this Day speaketh without them."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Summons of the Lord of Hosts, Súriy-i-Haykal (Lawh-i-Páp), par. 120)

'Abdu'l-Bahá often taught in parables[edit]

"In explaining the fear of God to children, there is no objection to teaching it as Abdu'l-Bahá so often taught everything, in the form of parables..."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 15, 1957, in Lights of Guidance, no. 790)

Divine things too deep to be expressed by common words, so expressed as parables to be preserved[edit]

Another asked why the teachings of all religions are expressed largely by parables and metaphors and not in the plain language of the people.

'Abdu'l-Bahá replied: -- "Divine things are too deep to be expressed by common words. The heavenly teachings are expressed in parable in order to be understood and preserved for ages to come. When the spiritually minded dive deeply into the ocean of their meaning they bring to the surface the pearls of their inner significance. There is no greater pleasure than to study God's Word with a spiritual mind."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, pp. 79-80)

God not ashamed to propound parables of small things[edit]

"Moreover, GOD will not be ashamed to propound in a parable a gnat, or even a more despicable thing: for they who believe will know it to be the truth from their LORD; but the unbelievers will say, What meaneth GOD by this parable? he will thereby mislead many, and will direct many thereby: but he will not mislead any thereby, except the transgressors, who make void the covenant of GOD after the establishing thereof, and cut in sunder that which GOD hath commanded to be joined, and act corruptly in the earth; they shall perish."

(Qur'án, translation by George Sale, 2:24-25 by Rodwell numbering)